HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 24 February 1942, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent.) HOKITIKA, February 23. Messrs H. and N. Friend, of Okarito, were visitors to Hokitika for the races on Saturday. Mr. James Donovan was also a visitor for the races, and returned south on Sunday. Mr. D. P. Wilson, left on return to Dunedin on Saturday evening. On Sunday afternoon, the firefighting equipment was given a trial at Westland Hospital. The supply of water is boosted up to a pressure of 125 lbs. The firemen from the Mental Hospital carried out the trials. Mr. C. B. Preston (DeputySuperintendent of the Fire Brigade), was present to give advice to the Board on the equipment and reticulation, and the chairman of the board (Mr. E. W. Heenan), and Messrs G. Heink and T. W. Duff, assisted in the trials. At the conclusion, Mr. Preston expressed his satisfaction, and said that the supply of water and pressure would enable the firemen to tackle any outbreak. The Hokitika Brigade, in the event of fire, will give all assistance possible. The equipment, at the hospital is of standard type, the same as that used by the local brigade. On Sunday there was a whole day uarade for the Home Guard. Members were present from country dis- ' tricts, and there was a record number on parade. The majority were I employed on Hokitika beach, where the members of the Women’s War Auxiliary prepared dinner for the men. Another party journeyed to the rifle range. The large number on parade shows an increased interest in the work. A camp will commence on Friday at the Hokitika racecourse and many Home Guardsmen will go into camp for a period to undergo extensive training. The racing at Hokitika on Saturday was of a very high order indeed, and the condition of the track was a credit to the caretaker and those who have assisted with improvements. With three race records in one day, the Club has every reason to feel proud. The fields in the most paces were exceedingly good, and the finishes on more than one occasion exciting. Some of the best horsemen in the Dominion were present, including L. G- Ellis, A. E. Ellis, A. Messervy, R. Mackie and C. T. Wilson. The double win by Miss Saone was outstanding. This mare started in the Maiden Race, the next event was a trot, and Miss Saone was produced again in the second gallop. She was ridden patiently by .AL Messervy, and her two wins gave this capable horseman a good start on the circuit. Her connections were more than confident of her pulling off the double, and the support accorded Miss Saone enabled backers of Mauretania to be offered a' good price. Mauretania was confidently expected to win, but lost her chance at the barrier rise. ■ Starting from outside position at the seven furlongs post, she was knocked back, and was giving the leaders ten lengths as they went out of the straight. Ridden to a great finish by C. T. Wilson, she just failed to get second place. -With anything like a good getaway, Mauretania must have been very hard to beat, and her turn should come before the circuit is ended. The tote figures were slightly down, while the gate showed a slight increase. The meeting was well conducted, and the secretary, Mr. D. J. Evans, was congratulated on the splendid meeting to celebrate the jubilee of the club.

Throe track records were claimed by many racing fans at the meeting. The time recorded by Sir Gundi in the one and a quarter miles, 2mins. 7 2-ssecs., is definitely a race record at Hokitika. Rawhamai’s time for the six furlongs, lmin. 13 4-ssecs., is also claimed as a record for the distance, although some claim Kiljoy bettered this time at the Jubilee meeting. The time recorded by Hearth in the mile, lmin. 41sec., is also claimed as a record, but here again a claim has .been put forward that Monipere bettered this time. The win of King Author in the second trot at Hokitika on Saturday gave ._the owner, Mr. Tom Staines, his first win. Mr. Staines has been one of the workers who

has given a great deal of his time io tne improvement of the racing track, and the win was very populai King’Autnor paced a solid race, ana should record further successes before the circuit is over. Another visiting trainer, W. McDonald, received many congratulations on tne success of Sir Gundi ■ and Stabilise. He iias been coming to the West Coast for many years, and is one of tlie most popular trainers witn Coasters. . At the monthly meeting 01 tne Westland Hospital Board there were present Messrs E. W. Heenan (cnanv, T. Duff. J. A. Murdoch, G. Heinz, o. Havill A. R. Eicock, vv. Jamieson, .1. F. O Neil and G. H. Chapman the appointment ot a relieving Matron during Miss Ramsay’s absence on holidays, and on days on was iett to the Medicai Superintendent and the Matron, who was granted her annual holidays. Mr G. Agnew was aopomted porter from the three applicants. Plans for the new storeroom lire equipment, workshop, and other necessary rooms were approved, and instructions were given for the work to be proceeded with at once. The Medical Superintendent reported 86 patients at present in hospital. Accommodation had been increased to enable 111) patients io be accommodated in an emergency, 'ine statement of receipts and expenditure for nine months ending on ■ December 31 was adopted, the figures remaining close to the eßimates, in commenting on the statement. the chairman said that since December heavy purchases had been made in view of the war to ensure ample medical supplies, extra blankets, mattresses and other require- j ments for an emergency. The cnairman. with Messrs T. Duff , and G Heinz, were appointed a committee io interview Dr. Bellringer in regard to lire lighting equipment, and to arrange a trial. The hospital has been cleariv marked out witn Red Crosses and a report from the air pilot stated they stood out clearly from the air. The farm report • showed that the hospital had been supplied with mills, cream, pigs, vegetables and other goons to a value of £122 for tne month of January. Mr J. A. Murdoch said he was moi;e than pleased with the operations of the farm. Althougn it showed a profit, he would not mind if it did not. The quality of the goods was of the very' highest. Every' member should be more than pleased with the venture. For the month of January, 525 gallons of high quality milk 373 pints of cream, and 38411 b of fresh vegetables had been obtained. Dr. Wilson reported that arrangements under Emergency Precautions were well advanced, Thu Matron reported for January: Highest numer .of beds occupied 76,. lowest 42, average fox the month 61; Xrays 45. massage and theraphy treatments 56, operations 51. Staff holidays: Nurses Fairhall, Bailey and Blundell; domestic staff, Misses Ann Bernhardt and Allie Keenan. The Medical Superintendent reported: In hospital. 31st December, 44, admitted during January 93, total treated during month 137, remaining, 31st January, 66.